Hunter killed by truck: Erie man dies in accident opening day

November 21, 2005

FREDERIC TWP. - Deputies from the Crawford County Sheriff's Dept. are still investigating the death of a 67-year-old Erie man who died Tuesday morning after he was hit by a rolling pickup while attempting to remove his hunting equipment from the back of the vehicle.

A Tuesday news release from Sheriff Kirk A. Wakefield reported deputies from his department responded around 6:20 a.m. to the scene of the accident in the northwest part of Crawford County off Blue Bear Trail.

According to reports, the accident victim had gotten out of the truck and walked to the rear of the vehicle to remove hunting gear from the truck bed. The vehicle then rolled backwards hitting the man and knocked him down.

The victim's son reportedly was driving the vehicle and had exited the truck to help his father when the truck then rolled backwards. The victim suffered severe damage to the head and was pronounced dead at the scene.

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The case remains under investigation. Authorities have declined at this time to release the victim's or his son's name.

Investigators do not believe foul play was involved.

The sheriff's department was assisted at the scene by the Frederic Township Fire Dept. and Frederic Township EMS.